Cho Sun and Cilantro: Get Some.

Anybody worth their salt in this area knows that Cho Sun in Bethel is the place to go for fresh, mind-blowingly delicious sushi and noodles. Lucky for us, Sunday River skiers and riders don’t even have to head down the access road to get a piece of that action: the owners of Cho Sun also run two delicious weekend lunch joints right here in the South Ridge Lodge.

The first is a direct extension of the original Cho Sun and is named, aptly, Cho Sun. On one of the coldest days of the year, craving something warm and comforting, I sampled a bowl of their Udon noodles with chicken in chicken broth. I’m a wimp, so I opted for “Level 1” spiciness. It was perfect. Like chicken soup on steroids. Savory, with just a slight kick, and lightened up by cilantro and lemon. Sunday River’s Cho Sun offers a full menu of well-balanced and low-calorie Japanese and Korean cuisine, along with a full bar—check out their Bloody Mary’s. Holy. Cow. Head here to turn your day on the slopes into over-the-top perfection.

The second, which showcases an entirely different kind of food, is called Cilantro. It’s a burrito joint. Call me crazy, but I’m pretty sure there are few things more satisfying than a warm burrito on a cold day. Tortilla, rice, beans, protein, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, lettuce… mmm. Nature’s perfect combination. So when your legs need a break, head to Cilantro, South Ridge Lodge’s flavor-packed burrito stand. Cilantro has been at Sunday River for three seasons now, and offers beef, chicken, pork belly, or vegetarian burritos and quesadillas with your choice of toppings. They are famous for their signature homemade sauces and salsas, all made with local ingredients, and also make a darn good margarita.

Both Cho Sun and Cilantro are open for lunch on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.